The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
