India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
