The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
