The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
