India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
