The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped 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 - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
