The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
