India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
