The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
