India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
