India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
