The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat 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 a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
