India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in the two games 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 longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.
After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
