India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
