India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
