The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
