India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies 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 Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
