The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
