The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
