The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series 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 a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
