The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years 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 past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
