India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as 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 aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
