The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
