The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
