The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
