The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
