India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.
The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.
Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.
After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.
In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.
Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the squad.
Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.
In his post-series press
