The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
