The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
