The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
