The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
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 looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
