India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit 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 well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
