The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
