The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' 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 unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks 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 viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
