The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
