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, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
