The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. 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 counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
