India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, 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 ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
