India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
