The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
