India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
