The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
