India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
