The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
