India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
