The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
