India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
