The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
