The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
