The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
