The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
