India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
