The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
