India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Disappears
The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.
Concerning History
This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this season as well.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches 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. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.
Roots of the Decline
India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.
What Happened?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.
A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the displays of the side.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
