The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
