India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
