India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and 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 position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
