India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
