The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
