The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss 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 several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
