India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
