The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
