India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
