India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
