The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
