The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
