The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
