India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
