India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
