The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
