India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
