India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph 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 past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
