The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
