India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
