India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' 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 invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
