India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
