India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
