The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India seem beatable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
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 in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
