The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
