The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
