India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
