India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.
The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.
A Promising Start Vanishes
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.
India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.
Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.
A Troubling Pattern
It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.
The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Causes of the Fall
The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.
Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.
Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.
While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.
Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
