India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Today, India look to be beatable at home.
Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
