The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
