India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
