India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing 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 in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
