The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
