The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - 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 red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
