The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
