The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
