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.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
