The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
