The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
