The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and 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 - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
