India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
