India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win 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 almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
