India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press