India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
