India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. 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 regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
