India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
