India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press