The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
