The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed 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 Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
