India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
