India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
