The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
