India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
