The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
