India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
