The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
