The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
