India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi 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 - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
