The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
