India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper 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 well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
