The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying 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 home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
