India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
