The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions 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 several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like 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 aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
