India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India'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 all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
