India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
