The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
