India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
