The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
