The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
