India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
