India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
