The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked 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 invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
