India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
