India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
