The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
