The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
