India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the team.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
