India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
