India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
