The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
