The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, 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, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
