The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win 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 established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
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 get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
