India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.
Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.
The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures 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 significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.
Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.
Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
