The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
