The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss 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 their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
