India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
