The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
