The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the side.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
