The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
