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, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
