The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
