The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as 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 looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
