The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
