India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
