The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball 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 marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
