India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked 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 a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
