The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory 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 winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
