The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
