India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
