The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
