India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
