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.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
