The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
