The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
