The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, 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 another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
