The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
