The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
