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 their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
