India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
