India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
