The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
