The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
