The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was 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 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
