India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
