The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
