The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
