India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Disappears
The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.
India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.
Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Concerning History
This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.
Roots of the Decline
India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.
Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What Happened?
Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.
This was obvious in the displays of the squad.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.
At his post-series press
