The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
