The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis 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 could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
