India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.
Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
