India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
