The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
