The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
