India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.
Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
