India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
