India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.
The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Roots of the Decline
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why 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 in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.
Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Coaching Scrutiny
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
