The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
