India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.
While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
