The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
