India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters 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. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
