The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
