India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
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 lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
