The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
