India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
