The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
