The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
