The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team 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 another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
