The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid 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, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
