The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
