The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
