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 handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
