India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance 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 prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
