India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
