The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
