India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
