India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press