The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
