India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
