The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
