The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
