The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
