The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
