The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
