India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
