India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
