India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
