The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
