India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While 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.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
