India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
