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.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
