India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Against 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 rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
