India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.
The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
