The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
