India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though 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.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
