India's surprising 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, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
