India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.
Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
