India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.
After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand 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 opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.
While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
