The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
