The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
