The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
