The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
