India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the team.
Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
