India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
