The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
