India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
