India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
