India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
