India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
