The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, 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 limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
