India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
