India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
Worrying Trend
It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.
Now, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have highlighted several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
