The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
