India's unexpected 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 gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.
A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.
Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
