The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
