The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
