The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
