India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
