The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
