The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
