The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
