The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
