India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
