The Indian cricket team's surprising 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 gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
