The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
