The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
