The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
