The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
