The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
