The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
