India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
