India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
