India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the performances of the squad.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
