The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
