The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
