India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
