The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
