The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
