India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
