India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
