The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
