India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
