India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers 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 position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
