India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin 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 anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
