India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
