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.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
