The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
