India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
