The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
