The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory 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 positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
