The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
