The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
