India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.
A Promising Start Fades Quickly
The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.
Concerning History
It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.
From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.
In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.
Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.
Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.
Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.
Multiple Failings
Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.
Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.
This was clear in the performances of the side.
Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.
Leadership Under Fire
The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
During his post-series press
