The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
