India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
