The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.
At his post-series press
