The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
