The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
