The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
