India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
