The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
