India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss 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 - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
