India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
