The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
