India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till 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 first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
