The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
