India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
