The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
