The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
