India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
