The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory 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 all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
