India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
