India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
