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 their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the showings 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 looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
