India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
