The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
