The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
