The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
