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.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
