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 a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.
Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the showings of the squad.
Members like Pant and 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 - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
