India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
