The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
