The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
