India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
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 benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
