The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
