The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
