The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
