India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
