The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
