The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
