India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press