India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
