India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv 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 Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
