The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
