India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters 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 altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
