India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
