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, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
