The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
