The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
