India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
