India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
