The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
