The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
