The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
