The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test 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 marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
