India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Management Questions
The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
