India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
