India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
