India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
