India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
