The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
