The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
