The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis 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 threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.
A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the squad.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
