The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, 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 whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home 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 Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like 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 ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
