The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
