The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
