The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
