India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
