The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
