The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India 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.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
