The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the final of this edition also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
