The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
