India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
