The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
