The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
