India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
