India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh 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 place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
