The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
