The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
