India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph 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 built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India seem easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
