India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
