The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
