India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid 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.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
