The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
