India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
