The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
