India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much 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 invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
