The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
