The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
