India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
