The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
