India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
