India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
