India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
