The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
