The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
