The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games 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. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
