The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
