The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
