India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
