The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
