India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However 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 significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
