The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
