India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
