India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
