The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
