The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
