India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
