India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
