India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
