India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
