The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
