The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
