India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
