India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. 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 mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
