India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
