India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
