The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
