The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against 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 the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players 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 perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
