The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well 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 pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
