India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
