The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
