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.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
