India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss 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 multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
