The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
