The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss 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 defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
