The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
