The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
