The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press