The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
