The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
