India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
