The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
