The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered 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 berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
