India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
