The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
