The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
