The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
