The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
