The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
