India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure 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 prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
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 squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
