The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India 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 pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
