India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
