India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the 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 train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
