India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
