India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.
After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
