India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press