The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
