The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
