The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
