The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - 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.
At his post-series press
