India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.
Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.
A Troubling Pattern
This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle also.
From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.
Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.
What Happened?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.
While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.
This was clear in the displays of the side.
Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.
Management Questions
The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
