The Indian cricket team's unexpected 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 a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
