The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
