The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
