The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
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 - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
