The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
