The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
