The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. 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 badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
