The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
