The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed 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's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
