The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
