India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
