India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
