The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
