The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It 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 secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
