The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
