India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
