India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
