The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
