India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
