India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, 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.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
