India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.
The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this season too.
After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.
Reasons for the Slump
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.
Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.
Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.
While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the team.
Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.
Leadership Under Fire
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
In his post-series press
