The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded 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 first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
