The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
