The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident 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 Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
