The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's 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 gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third 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, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty 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 side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
