India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
