The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
