The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
