India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
