The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
