India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
