The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
