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 inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
