India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
