India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
