India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
