The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
