India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
