India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press