The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
