India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
