India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
