India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
