India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was obvious in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press