The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
