India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side 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 major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
