India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was clear in the showings of the side.
Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.
Management Questions
The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
