India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
