India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
