India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
