The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
