India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be beatable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.
Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
