The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
