India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.
Causes of the Fall
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem beatable at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
