India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations 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 longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
