The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
