India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
