India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
