The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
