India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' 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 built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.
Initial Hope Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.
From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly 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 in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.
Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
