The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
