The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
