India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.
Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this season too.
From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.
In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.
Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.
Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the showings of the side.
Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
During his post-series press
