India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
