India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent 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 momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
