India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
