The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
