India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation'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 all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
