India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
