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 gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
A Promising Start Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.
Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.
Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
