The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
