The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable 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 opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
