The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
