The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
