The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
