The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
