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, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century 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 all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match 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 format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.
Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the showings of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
