The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
