India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
