The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling 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 anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
