India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
