India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
