India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
