India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.
Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
