The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
