The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, 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 floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
