India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
